Can you believe that when I chose this unit and read the unit title I assumed that learning spaces referred only to the physical design and set up of a classroom!? I don’t think I could have been less informed!

The mind map I have uploaded features just some of the learning that has occurred for me across this unit.

• Learning spaces: As mentioned I clearly had a lot to learn about the variety and depth of learning spaces available to the 21st century learner. I believe it it our responsibility to find learning spaces and styles that work for each and every one of our students. And, equally importantly, for ourselves! My personal learning in this space has obviously come leaps and bounds since the beginning of this unit.

• E-space: Having worked with Adam in an online unit before I was familiar with the potential of this space. However, never did I dream I would be able to create and interactive, engaged and thought-provoking blog which I believe I have been able to produce (If I do say so myself!). 21st century learners NEED their educators to be able to use technology to their greatest advanatage. I believe we are doing a great disservice to our students if we are not confident in utilising technology authentically within the classroom

• TWB: While everyone always tells you and in your conscious mind you know that teachers have the potential to make change. Yet having investigated the TWB initiative of girls’ education and delved into research of some of the amazing things teachers are doing while facing incredible hardships, I have come to realise that this profession has the potential to make the impossible, possible! Wether that be teaching a reluctant child to learn to love reading or wether that be effectively changing the lives of a number of mixed age refugee students through the power of education. The possibilities are endless.

Having an enquring mind has brought me to these conclusions and helped me to develop the blog that I am incredibly proud of. I believe this blog/PLN will be something I can continue to use throughout my career as a platform to engage with like-minded educators.

Thank you Adam and Kayri for your incredible hard work. Another fantastic unit that I will be raving about to all who will listen!

For many years females in Nigeria have lived in fear merely because they wish to receive an education. This learning space will most importantly offer girls and women a safe space to learn and grow, both independently and from each other – incorporating the collaborative learning space at every step of the way.

While the key focus of this learning space is the mentorship program detailed in this post, this program will be rooted in a larger learning space which incorporates development of personal learning, authentically embedded beyond the classroom learning and significant learning taking place within the group environment.

Schools wishing to incorporate this program may run a holistic education program that could look something like this:

Mindmap created with SimpleMind+

Females in Nigeria have suffered though many years of fear, oppression and being regarded as a lower social status than their male counterparts. Their right to an education has been stripped from them by extremist groups such as Boko Haram, with the more than 100 school girls still missing in Northeast Nigeria serving as a reminder of constant control and oppression.

The future learning space I design for the girls of Nigeria aims to prove to them that they are valuable members of society, who do not deserve to be discriminated against based on their gender. I want to build on their own personal learning spaces and promote the idea that receiving and education not only improves their lives dramatically, but it also benefits their families, communities, the economy, and the wider world. I want these girls to feel empowered to bridge the liminal space and spread this message among their communities. Moreover, I want these girls to feel they are supported in a group learning environment, where the strength of female empowerment is behind them , cheering them on, to achieve their dreams.

Below are some points of evidence for investing in girls’ education from the Malala Fund website. I would hope to educate my students on all of these facts.

This Future Learning Space (FLS) is committed to empowering girls and women to view themselves as powerful, deserving, intellectual and aspirational figures within their communities and throughout the country.

The Vision:

Through educational programs that actively engage role models, this FLS will empower girls and women to enact change within their communities. Once a shift occurs within the personal learning space, individuals will be equipped to inspire debate about the importance of girls’ education. Advocates will emphasise a bright future and argue that promoting girls education is beneficial for the entire country.